Darwin Aboriginal communities back Dan Murphy’s proposal over objectors’ ‘racist intervention’

THE association that administers the Kulaluk and Minmarama communities has hit out at opponents of Darwin’s proposed Dan Murphy’s, saying they were never consulted by the objectors.

Helen Secretary says the Kulaluk and Minmarama communities were not consulted on their views on a proposed new Dan Murphy’s development. Picture: Che Chorley

THE association that administers the Kulaluk and Minmarama communities has hit out at opponents of Darwin’s proposed Dan Murphy’s, saying they were never consulted by the objectors.

Gwalwa Daraniki Association chairwoman Helen Secretary said by contrast, the development’s proponents had engaged with the Aboriginal communities and she believed the proposal would actually improve safety along Bagot Rd.

Kulaluk and Minmarama have been cited as among three indigenous communities – along with Bagot – said to be too close to the development but Ms Secretary said the last thing residents needed was “more racist interventions”.

“Maybe those people objecting could visit our communities and talk to us, the residents, we are sick of people talking for us,” she said.

“I will introduce you to the old people, the good men and women who go to work every day and the children and you can ask them what they think about getting safety measures built into the surrounds of Bagot Community and the roads.”

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Ms Secretary, a non-drinker, said the three communities were dry areas where alcohol was banned and while a minority of residents did choose to drink, they were much safer doing so in their own homes.

“It’s about working together and these people are actually coming to our community and talking to our people that do drink on how things could work together, trying to stop road deaths and stuff like that,” she said.

“I have spoken to the Chief Minister back in 2018 to see if we can start putting (an alcohol management plan) in place – our members are safe in their community drinking, not out on the road getting killed by cars, getting bashed by other people, they’re safe at home.”

Bagot leader Helen Fejo-Frith has been a vocal opponent of the Dan Murphy’s proposal on safety grounds and the toll of alcohol-related harm on the community and said her position remained firm.

“I’m standing my ground,” she said.

“We don’t want it there, we’ve got enough as it is.”

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The Dan Murphy’s application is again before the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal after parliament moved to address a legal technicality that previously stood in its way.